Lichen Planus, a repeated itchy disease, begins as small discreated bump rash that later combines, becoming scaly, rough raised patches (plaques). Approx. 50% of individuals with Lichen Planus also progress mouth sores. Lichen Planus cause is not known. A similar rash in some cases breaks out in individuals exposed to medications containing quinacrine, gold, quinidine, bismuth, quinine or arsenic and specific chemicals used to develop color photographs.

Lichen Planus can be a response of the body to specific external chemicals or other agents. The symptoms of this condition can start suddenly or gradually and persist for weeks or months. Although, the disease commonly clears up by itself, plaques frequently return, and the incidences can repeat for years. The rash almost always results in itching, in some cases at severe levels. The bumps commonly have angular borders and they are violet; when light is directed at such bumps from the side, they are displaying a distinctive sheen.

New bumps can form or causes of mild skin damage can occur. In some cases, dark discolorations remain after the rash heals. Generally, the rash is spread symmetrically, mostly on the torso, mouth, legs, vagina, head of the penis, and inner wrists surfaces. The face is rarely affected. On the legs, the rash can become particularly scaly and large. In some cases, the rash causes scalp patchy baldness.

A Lichen Planus mouth sore is especially vexing; it is commonly bluish-white and can form in line. Frequently, mouth sores appear before the rash of skin; and although such sores generally do not hurt, they sometimes may result in deeper sores that can be painful. Outbreak cycles are followed by healing. Uncommonly, long -standing sores can cause mouth cancer.

Diagnosis of Lichen Planus can be difficult to determine, because various conditions resemble the disease. A doctor may generally recognize Lichen Planus by recurrence pattern and its appearance, but a skin biopsy can be required to confirm the diagnosis. To prevent Lichen Planus, chemicals or drugs that can cause it, should be avoided. For individuals, suffering from itching, an antihistamine drug such as chlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine, or diphenhydramine, can be prescribed, although, they may result in sleepiness.

Corticosteroid can be injected into the bump, applied to person’s skin, or taken orally, in some cases, in combination with other drugs, such as tretinoin. Mouth wash, consisting of lidocaine can be used before eating to form a pain-killing coating to relieve pain due to mouth sores. Lichen Planus can disappear and then again reappear after few years.

Longer treatment can be required during disease outbreaks; no treatment is needed between outbreaks.